NBA free agency: 30 greatest free agent signings in NBA history

Greatest free agency signings in NBA history: 5. LeBron James- Los Angeles Lakers, 2018

Even before the 2017-18 season, many fans speculated that the upcoming season would be LeBron James’ last in a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey (again). After the Cavs got swept in the NBA Finals by the Golden State Warriors with mediocre-at-best players around James, the four-time MVP’s departure from his hometown team became a foregone conclusion.

Thanks to James helping the Cavs win their first NBA Title in 2016, the end of James’ second stint with the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2003 wasn’t met with nearly the same amount of animus that many expressed towards him in 2010.

Of course, the original outrage over “The Decision” was always ridiculous, particularly in hindsight, but it was still nice to see James receive a warm reception from the Cleveland fans when he returned to “The Land” with his new team in 2018.

That new team was the Los Angeles Lakers.

James signed a four-year, $154 million pact with the Lakers prior to the 2018-19 season, with the franchise finally reeling the big free-agent signing it had been fishing for since Kobe Bryant’s retirement.

In that first season, LeBron — despite being mostly surrounded by non-shooters — led the Lakers to a 20-14 record, and the team seemed destined to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. However, a groin injury and 27 missed games hindered those plans.

When L.A. traded for Anthony Davis prior to the following season, things got back on track for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. With a younger co-star, James led the Lakers to their first 50-win season since 2011 and in the Orlando bubble, James guided the franchise to its first NBA title since 2010.